Abbas eyed as state witness vs MILF bombers

The police may turn Ismael Abbas, the lone suspect in the Rizal Day bombings, into a state witness against other members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) charged for the bombings before the Department of Justice.

Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy operations chief Deputy Director General Jewel Canson said yesterday Abbas appears to be the least guilty among the suspects and may qualify to be a state witness.

"We can see that he is not the most guilty in the explosions. We can review (if he could turn state witness) once the other suspects are arrested," Canson said.

Abbas, 38, of Pasig City, was arrested in front of his home on Jan. 4, the sole suspect arrested for the Rizal Day bombings that have so far killed 22 people and wounded nearly 100 others.

Police have also filed multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges against MILF chairman Hashim Salamat, vice chairmen Al-Haj Murad, Ghadzali Jaafar and Aleem Aziz Mimbantas; alleged MILF members Safilla Unos, Mohammed Guindolongan and several John Does.

Abbas identified two of his companions last Dec. 12, when they purchased for P90,000 the old model car used in the bombing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport cargo terminal, Canson added.

Abbas wept as he answered questions from reporters when Canson presented the witness at a press conference at Camp Crame.

Abbas admitted he accompanied Guindolongan, alias Abu Zainal, and Unos, alias Moglis, in purchasing a 1978 red Mitsubishi Lancer used in the airport cargo warehouse bombing.

"I have nothing to do with the blasts," said a tearful Abbas. "Many people can testify that I was at our house when the explosions occurred."

Canson, who heads the investigation team, said probers got a breakthrough when pieces of evidence, including the engine number and registration papers of the Mitsubishi, were traced by the PNP Traffic Management Group.

"All the pieces of evidence were scientifically analyzed and examined. Evidence were also backed up by intelligence and surveillance operations," Canson said.

Abbas said Guindolongan asked him to drive the vehicle from Quezon City to Globo de Oro street in Quiapo, Manila.

"After I drove the car to Manila, they treated me out for food before giving me P100 for my fare back home," Abbas said, claiming he never heard from the two again.

Abbas likewise admitted that he is related to lawyer Firdaussi Abbas, president of the Bangsa Moro Islamic Party, and MILF lawyer Macapanton Abbas Jr.

Police said Ismael’s relation to the two noted Muslim lawyers bolstered the police theory that Ismael was the MILF’s contact person in Metro Manila.

Evidence vs Guindolongan

Canson also said a composite police team on Monday seized bomb parts and other bomb-making components in a raid on the Davao City residence of Guindolongan.

Combined elements from Davao City’s anti-terrorist unit and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force raided Guindolongan’s rented house on189 Barangay 23-C, Mini-Forest st., Quezon Boulevard, Davao City on Monday afternoon, Canson said.

The raid was conducted under a warrant signed by Davao City Regional Trial Court Judge Virginia Hofilena Europa, he said and was witnessed by house caretaker Halima Maminta and barangay officials.

The search resulted in the confiscation of one white emulite (an explosive component) packed inside a plastic bag, a grenade, time fuses, blasting caps, a dismantled alarm clock, detonating cords, and two bank passbooks, among other things.

Prior to the raid, police claimed Guindolongan was already being monitored by military intelligence as among the members of an MILF terrorist squad tasked with conducting a bombing mission in Metro Manila.

While the police intensified efforts to gather more evidence, President Estrada also ordered Manila police to intensify a campaign against terrorists following the Rizal Day bombings. – With reports from Mike Frialde, Roel Pareño, Edith Regalado, John Unson